Quality Assurance Technician:

Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company is currently seeking a Quality Assurance Technician to join our team

Natalie’s is a 30-year old family owned business selling the world’s highest quality, made to order juices and holistic beverages to both domestic and international markets. www.orchidislandjuice.com

Quality Assurance Technician – Job Description

General

The Quality Assurance (QA) Technician plays a key role in ensuring the quality and food safety of our products. This is accomplished through execution of the company’s product testing, release, and inspection processes. The QA Technician enforces the Good Manufacturing Practices as established by CFR Title 21, Part 110 and ensures all food safety policies are followed. The QA Technician will work directly with the Quality Assurance and Food Safety Manager to ensure all quality and food safety policies are being followed. The QA Technician will also help develop a working regiment for the execution of Quality Assurance directives and requirements.

Job Functions

• Responsible for monitoring product food safety and quality throughout the manufacturing process.
• Conduct in process monitoring of packaging activities to ensure compliance to company specifications and quality standards.
• Conduct analytical and organoleptic evaluation of finished products to ensure compliance to company specifications and quality standards.
• Work directly with the Quality Assurance and Food Safety Manager and Production Managers to identify improvement opportunities and to aid in their execution.
• Catalogue and store retention samples, and conduct shelf-life evaluations on finished good retention samples to ensure that products meet their targeted shelf life.
• Perform ATP luminometer swabs and environmental swabs for sanitation verification purposes.
• Conduct microbiological testing and analysis on finished products for total plate count, yeast, and mold.
• Enforce cGMP policies.
• Maintain and calibrate lab equipment with the assistance of the Quality Assurance and Food Safety Manager.
• Ensure conformance to the company’s HACCP and SQF programs, with attention to Critical Control Points (CCPs) and immediate communication is made when CCPs are not met.

• Ensure hygiene and sanitation practices conform to policies and regulations.
• Design, implement and sustain 5S in all Quality Assurance domains.

• Advise quality or production managers of ingredients or product deficiencies or any instances of out of specification findings.
• Complete internal requests from Customer Service in a timely manner, including conducting COAs and addressing customer complaints.

• Assist in training of existing or new staff if required.
• Responsible for the correct recording and filing of all relevant records logs and documentation
• Must demonstrate ability to follow all documented QA Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Identify and investigate internal quality issues and assist in the management of the QA Hold Program.
• Assist the USDA with necessary testing requirements.
• Troubleshoot and problem solve as necessary.
• Other duties as requested by the Quality Assurance and Food Safety Manager.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities Required

• Knowledge of cGMPs, HACCP and SQF requirements.
• Commitment to high standards.
• Aseptic handling and testing techniques.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-motivated / self-starter.
• Flexibility and adaptability.
• Excellent mathematical skills.

Working Conditions

• Ability to work extended shifts and flexible schedules - some holiday and weekend work as well.
• In and out of coolers and freezers. Some of the production environment is refrigerated.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3 years of experience in food/beverage manufacturing is preferred.
• Experience with SQF, HACCP, and GMPs is highly preferred.
• High School Diploma or GED with excellent mathematical ability is required.
• Food science, microbiology, and/or quality assurance experience is preferred.
• Knowledge of Word, Excel, and Outlook is required

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $16.00 - $18.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Holidays
• Night shift
• Overtime
• Weekend availability

Work setting:

• In-person

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• Manufacturing: 1 year (Preferred)

Shift availability:

• Night Shift (Preferred)
• Day Shift (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $16 - $18